Chelsea must correct 'unseen' tactical error before Liverpool clash - opinion

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca watched his side beat Everton from the back of the press box at Stamford Bridge, serving his suspension, but still fielded a new-look Blues XI to take on the Toffees.

The hosts ran out 1-0 winners in a tight affair that saw David Moyes’ men force Robert Sanchez into two big saves to keep his team in the lead. It was a big three points for Chelsea in the fight for a top four finish but there are more tricky opponents ahead with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United in their next three Premier League outings.

While Maresca will take plenty of positives from the Everton performance, there is also cause for a little worry in one tactical decision. Against Everton, Romeo Lavia started his first league fixture since the middle of January. The £53 million man was deployed in defensive midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, with Moises Caicedo slotting in at right back. Reece James began the match on the bench.

Chelsea midfielder labelled as ‘unreal’ against Everton

Caicedo turned in an imperious performance worthy of the widespread praise he has since seen on social media, especially when moving into midfield following James’ introduction. At one moment in the second half, a crunching tackle in the centre of the pitch sent the X-sphere into meltdown with the player labelled ‘inspirational’, ‘unreal’ and ‘too good’.

The 23-year-old also did look comfortable at full-back, completing all of his dribbles and long balls, winning five duals and making four interceptions. No player in the league has won possession more times than Caicedo this season.

While the future of Chelsea under Maresca could be with Caicedo in that position with Lavia and Fernandez in front of him, there were moments of defensive unawareness that a team with more bite may have punished. Speaking to TNT Sports at half time, Peter Crouch said: “It’s almost like a false two, he keeps coming into midfield when Chelsea have the ball. That’s leaving a big space out there on the left hand side when he does do that, if Everton can move it quickly they can definitely get joy down that side.”

Everton failed to do that. Ndiaye was given a 5/10 score for his ‘quiet display’ in the first half by the Liverpool Echo. The Toffees caused problems after the break and Ndiaye’s replacement Carlos Alcaraz was given a seven and was ‘lively’ on that flank.

Moises Caicedo not ready-made full back just yet

Caicedo deserves praise for his work against Everton and just how natural he looked in that position, but to say there were no lapses of concentration would be wrong. The midfielder was keen to push forwards and cut inside, which he did regularly. Sometimes when Everton were on the break, however, his urgency to track back was lacking.

Thankfully, the former Brighton man has someone to learn from in the fantastic Marc Cucurella. Caicedo was comfortable against Everton and what he didn’t do was perhaps only highlighted by the passion and diligence with which Cucurella went about his work.

Ndiaye and Alcaraz did not make the most of the space sometimes afforded by Caicedo, but you can bet that left sided midfielders Luis Diaz, Harvey Barnes and Bruno Fernandes certainly will. The Ecuadorian’s potential defensive mistakes may have gone unseen for now, but perhaps won’t forever.

In other news, Everton favourite explains why Didier Drogba is behind 3 Premier League striker greats.